Video Game Violence

Videogames: master illusionists extraordinaire in the seamless imitation of life. They are everywhere; you can't escape their influence in modern society; at least, to a partial degree. What began as a highly specialized niche has now gone mainstream; boasting a net worth between 7 to 8 billion dollars in revenue each year, which is all but dwarfing the movie industry's dwindling ticket sales. The culprit is perhaps a conglomeration of differing factors. This includes; continual evolution in visual enhancements, expansive gameplay immersion and an unparalleled realism, that delivers a truly interactive, if not life-like experience.

"Video games are getting more realistic. But the key is that you have 
to bring that level of realism to a point where people forget they are 
playing a game," said Microsoft's Bill Gates. "And the chips got good 
enough that we said we could come in and take gaming to a new level." 

This trend not surprisingly may have begun due largely to the influx of more adult gamers into the marketplace. The average age of the game consumer has risen considerably, to just under 30 worldwide- including the U.S. As a result, game developers have flooded retailers and shelves with gaming fare geared towards their more mature clientele. These titles proudly bear their emblazoned M+ (Mature 17+) rating on the front; promising to scorch attentive eyes with various visions of violence, gore, and often, pervasive sexual content. Examples of this can be found in any Rockstar title (Grand Theft Auto, Manhunt etc.) and or various knock offs of which, abound in the gamer's home collection.

The disturbing reality is that not only adults play the games specifically catered to them but also an all too large number of the M+ rated fan base are children or young adolescents. According to the Gallup poll, over 71% of teenage boys have played GTA videogames including 8th and 9th graders. The findings were also interesting to note, considering that boys who actively played GTA reported being in a physical fight (34%) compared with boys who had not played the game (17%). The poll shows a correlation, doubling in statistical percentage between violence in videogames and its potential connection to real world consequences for those that are vulnerable to its submersion and influence.

The American palate including its youths is definitely in tune with the FPS genre and gameplay. The objectives are to usually employ stealth in order to infiltrate and systematically kill all those who may present themselves as an obstacle to accomplishing your current mission's criteria. Still, these tactics may all but be abandoned in favor of an all out assault; a bloody desperado-like free for all that ends when you are the last man standing- literally, amidst a barrage of bullets and bodies. Black, from Electronic Arts (EA) serves as a perfect example of this particular platform.

Games of this genre have evolved tremendously- from Rare's Goldeneye to early companies like Red Storm (now a division of UbiSoft) in the last ten years and are now enjoying immense popularity and financial success. The consistent goal of games is to further seek and push the current boundaries, to blur the line between fantasy and reality to where they are all but indistinguishable from one another. Depending on the vantage point, these capabilities can either have positive and inspiring implications and applications or simply too mortifying in terms of possible consequences when the boundary between life and game no longer seems as definitive.

Given that the newer and upcoming FPS game titles are now more than ever focused on authenticity in gameplay and mechanics; it is no wonder, that the U.S. army has expressed an interest in using such games as a training module in preparation for live action combat for both it's new recruits and weathered veterans. In fact, many current and next-gen FPS have had actual officers wear motion capture sensors and perform maneuvers as well as inform the game design team on authentic stratagems and procedures in combat.

Offering an extensive tutorial on how to strategically plan and execute a successful assault, these games also actively demonstrate the best manner in which to breach security and effectively retain minimal risk while capitalizing on opportunities for maximum damage return to the targeted facility. Truly, these games are well suited for the real-time scenarios many of today's soldiers experience daily; you could say they go hand and foot or, if you like, hand and gun.

Perhaps, that while these titles may have been marketed and solely intended for adults as the M+ rating would logically suggest; truthfully, a good percentage of its audience are actually far younger than the receipts which confirm proof of purchase can ever show. Opinions and values are formed early on, when the mind is more impressionable to external influences; which when set, will last far longer than its originating source. Young kids and adolescents often emulate the behavior, patterns, and tastes of those closest to them; parents and siblings, classmates and teachers. That method is how they learn- in turn, that is how we are able to teach.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation for a ban on the sale of M+ rated games to minors which included fines and penalties to the retailer should such a transaction occur. However the question remains, is that sufficient ammunition to quell young itching trigger fingers? Who will be shooting blanks and who will hold the smoking gun? Only time will tell; unfortunately for Arnold of Terminator fame, I'd put my money on Halo's Master Chief.

Lindsay supports good moral values in video games.

Links

• More Video Game Reviews by Lindsay Berkovitz
• Go to Dave's Gaming Domain
• Go to Dave's Slaves
• Phoenix Genesis Online Game News
• Entertainment Software Rating Board
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
• E3 Expo